[JerryLove]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

If so, why don't we allow them to carry their weapons on the base? Think how many lives would have been saved if every trained military operative hadn't had his ordinance locked up.

There's speculation that some of the wounded were, in fact, shot by friendlys who didn't know who the correct target was.

I don't know what has become of that investigation: certainly it would not be something the reports would choose to focus on.

Wow, so it's not the fact that this man was going to be shipped off to an illegal war (did Congress formally declare war yet on Iraq?) where children are dying, a war that did not end a direct threat to our safety, in a military where suicide and abuse is rampant, whose mentally taxed and shattered soldiers were his charge as a psychiatrist...it's because he's a Muslim.

Do you think the rampage was a result of his frustration over seperation of powers in the federal government?

BTW: He wasn't being shipped to Iraq. He was being shipped to Afghanistan. We did indeed approve that action.

Other than that, I agree with you.

[scarlet.starlet]

So if our soldiers are shot on American soil, it's a tragedy. But if they get shot overseas, their bodies are snuck into the country in the dead of night, their deaths get no press coverage, and their families get no public acknowledgement. It's business as usual.

*shakes head* I don't understand government policy vis a vis which soldiers are to be honored and which are to be ignored.

I also agree with other posters who stated that the soldiers should be allowed to carry weapons on base; some crazy guy with a 9mm handgun could never have done much damage had those soldiers been armed. The army needs to live by the Boy Scout Motto: ALWAYS be prepared.

[Travis]

When you fill someone's head with violence and turn them into a trained killer, you ought not to be shocked when they kill the "wrong" people. Ouch. It hurts when they're not blasting innocent brown people, huh? Cry me a river.

[JerryLove]

Originally Posted by scarlet.starlet

So if our soldiers are shot on American soil, it's a tragedy. But if they get shot overseas, their bodies are snuck into the country in the dead of night, their deaths get no press coverage, and their families get no public acknowledgement. It's business as usual.

Actualy: this preisdent has lifted the ban on reporters filming and actually showed up at at least one arrival personally.

*shakes head* I don't understand government policy vis a vis which soldiers are to be honored and which are to be ignored.

It's much like the logic that makes "supporting the troops" mean "desiring to put them unneccesairily in harms way".

I also agree with other posters who stated that the soldiers should be allowed to carry weapons on base; some crazy guy with a 9mm handgun could never have done much damage had those soldiers been armed. The army needs to live by the Boy Scout Motto: ALWAYS be prepared.

It's a double-edged sword. Ever wonder why only officers and Marines, traditionally, had a sidearm?

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by Travis

When you fill someone's head with violence and turn them into a trained killer, you ought not to be shocked when they kill the "wrong" people. Ouch. It hurts when they're not blasting innocent brown people, huh? Cry me a river.

War or not, things are always more tragic when they hit closer to home.

[Travis]

Fort Hood Murders: What Won’t Be Discussed by Russell D. Longcore

Good link, IMO.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Travis

Fort Hood Murders: What Won’t Be Discussed by Russell D. Longcore

Good link, IMO.

because I wanted to respond to a couple of points in this article, i've started a new thread

[kimberlyb0112]

Originally Posted by adamwagg

Can we keep this thread onto the shootings, please? If we want to discuss the legitamacy of the war in Iraq, please make another thread. (I've deleted one post that was leading the thread down this path).

Thanks.

Thanks.. I got really pissed off and had to bite my tongue..
I started to reply.. and then I was just like forget it..

Its not even worth it. If people are going to be that incompetent,
I don't even want to acknowledge it

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by thesteve

One of my coworkers (a French PhD) was quick to point out a possible religious/ethnic connection when his name was released.

Originally Posted by beanbag

yes. I have worried about violence against middle easterners (men, particularly) every single day of my life since september 11th. this will only serve to make things worse.

I don't think that violence is necessarily heightened against muslims in particular, but rather against all middle easterners in general. people that go on these self-righteous rampages don't bother to ask their victims what their religious status is before they pound on them or set their businesses on fire.

Army Chief of Staff Concerned for Muslim Troops

[Skifree0813]

Does anyone know if names have been released? I haven't been able to find information and can't get in contact with people from the area as I'm out of town right now.

[Art]

A list of the deceased

I have been really watching this closely, as my work partner's cousin was involved. He was mildly injured.

[scarlet.starlet]

Originally Posted by JerryLove

Actualy: this preisdent has lifted the ban on reporters filming and actually showed up at at least one arrival personally.

It's much like the logic that makes "supporting the troops" mean "desiring to put them unneccesairily in harms way".

It's a double-edged sword. Ever wonder why only officers and Marines, traditionally, had a sidearm?

I didn't know the ban had been lifted. Thank you for telling me. (files away information)

[JerryLove]

BTW: Obama has been pushing for the biggest VA funding increase in 30 years National Coalition for Homeless Veterans - President Obama Seeks 15% Increase in VA Funding